often attributive
1
: a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal
2
: any of various sharp curved processes especially at the end of a limb (as of an insect)
also
: a limb ending in such a process
3
: one of the pincerlike organs terminating some limbs of various arthropods (such as a lobster or scorpion)
4
: something that resembles a claw
specifically
: the forked end of a tool (such as a hammer)
see also:
clawed; clawing; claws
: to rake, seize, dig, or progress with or as if with claws
: to scrape, scratch, dig, or pull with or as if with claws
Cite this Entry
“Claw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claw. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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